Are Downloaded 1040 Tax Forms Legal to Use for Filing?

A:

Quick Answer

The 1040 income tax forms available on the IRS.gov website can be printed and legally used to file a return. The Internal Revenue Service requires that the forms be printed on high-quality printers such as ink-jet or laser. This includes forms 1040A and 1040EZ.

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The printing should not have an adverse effect on the IRS' ability to process the document, which occurs if the image is too light or smudged, according to the IRS. Using colors other than black can slow processing or introduce errors in scanned forms. Schedules and forms that accompany the 1040 can also be downloaded and printed for filing. The IRS also accepts printed 1040 forms from other sites that are consistent with the government forms.